‘It’s not tennis, it’s Crennis!’: Sachin Tendulkar stumps Bill Gates with a new sport and vada pav—Satya Nadella says, ‘I want in!’

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently engaged in an unusual sporting encounter that took social media by storm. In a video posted by Tendulkar on Instagram, the two were seen playing ‘Crennis’—a fusion of cricket and tennis. The light-hearted clip quickly went viral, amassing over 18,000 shares, and counting.

The video captures a moment of playful confusion as Gates prepares to serve a tennis ball, only to find Tendulkar assuming a classic cricketer’s batting stance. Gates, momentarily taken aback, exclaims, “I thought we were playing tennis.” But Tendulkar responds with a grin: “Bill, I said ‘Crennis’—a little bit of cricket, a little bit of tennis.”

However, Tendulkar’s caption for the video added a far-deeper message: “Sport teaches us teamwork, life demands the same. Crennis was fun, but the real action is brewing with the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation & Gates Foundation.”

The interaction between Tendulkar and Bill Gates sparked enthusiasm online, with many comments commending the two for coming together for a social cause.  Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was one of them, who joined in on the fun.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Nadella wrote, “Looks like I found my next sport! I look forward to trying my hand at Crennis with you both.”

The camaraderie between Tendulkar and Gates extended beyond the tennis court. Another video, shared by Gates and subsequently reshared by over 10,000 users, shows the duo taking a break to indulge in Mumbai’s beloved street snack—vada pav. Gates captioned the moment, “A snack break before we get to work,” hinting at the more serious discussions ahead. The video even featured the words “serving soon,” adding an air of anticipation.

This visit marks Bill Gates' third trip to India in as many years. His agenda includes celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by engaging with policymakers and industry leaders to discuss critical advancements in healthcare, agriculture, and technology.

One of the highlights of his visit was a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 19. Reflecting on their discussion, Gates remarked, “I had a great discussion about India’s development, the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, and exciting advancements in health, agriculture, AI, and other sectors that are creating impact today. It’s impressive to see how innovation in India is driving progress locally—and globally.”

Prime Minister Modi reciprocated the sentiment, calling the meeting “excellent.” He shared on social media, “Always a delight to meet you, Bill Gates! Our discussions on innovation, sustainability, and the path to Viksit Bharat 2047 were enriching. India is committed to leveraging technology for a better future for all.”